NGT Issues Notices Over Illegal Waste Dumping on Gaula River Flood Plains in Haldwani
The National Green Tribunal (NGT) has taken up a new application alleging serious environmental violations due to the illegal dumping and burning of municipal solid waste and untreated biomedical waste on the flood plain of the Gaula river in Haldwani, Uttarakhand. In an order dated March 24, the tribunal's principal bench acknowledged that the plea raises substantial issues regarding compliance with environmental norms and has issued notices to the state government through its chief secretary and to the Nagar Nigam Haldwani through the municipal commissioner.
Details of the Allegations and Environmental Concerns
The case, filed by Deep Chandra Pande, was heard by a bench comprising NGT chairperson Justice Prakash Shrivastava and expert members Dr A Senthil Vel and Dr Afroz Ahmad. The bench examined the application in the context of alleged violations at a site described as dangerously close to both residential areas and a major road corridor. According to the order, the applicant alleged unscientific and illegal dumping and burning of waste, with a residential area located within 150 to 180 metres of the dumpyard and National Highway-109, which passes through Haldwani city, just 20 metres away.
The plea emphasized that this location and manner of disposal pose a continuing environmental and public health concern, potentially affecting thousands of residents and commuters. The application cited violations of key environmental regulations, including:
- Solid Waste Management Rules, 2016
- Bio-Medical Waste Management Rules, 2016
- Construction and Demolition Waste Management Rules, 2016
Additionally, it claimed that the trenching ground was established in violation of siting criteria, leading to pollution of Gaula river water used for agriculture, drinking, and fishing. By documenting these allegations, the applicant argued that the issue transcends a local dumping dispute, highlighting broader concerns over environmental compliance and waste management in a sensitive riverine ecosystem.
Connection to Pending Case and Tribunal's Directions
The tribunal noted that another matter, Hemant Singh Gonia & Ors vs State of Uttarakhand, involving the same issue of illegal waste dumping in Haldwani, is already pending before it. Recognizing the overlap, the NGT directed that the present application be listed along with the earlier case on April 27, allowing both to be considered together for a comprehensive resolution.
In its order, the NGT also directed the issuance of notices to the respondents and instructed the applicant to serve them and file an affidavit of service at least one week before the next hearing date. While the tribunal did not delve into the merits of the allegations at this preliminary stage, it formally recognized that the plea addresses significant issues of environmental compliance, underscoring the urgency of addressing waste management practices in ecologically vulnerable areas like river flood plains.
This development underscores the growing scrutiny on waste disposal methods in Uttarakhand, particularly in regions near critical water bodies and human settlements, as authorities grapple with balancing development and environmental protection.
